Sherry M. Smith, a trailblazing executive whose sharp financial acumen and principled leadership reshaped some of America’s most recognizable corporate institutions, has died at the age of 64. The news of her passing was announced Monday by Deere & Company, where Smith had served as a trusted and influential member of the board of directors since 2011. Her death marks the end of a remarkable career defined not only by strategic mastery in financial leadership but also by a steadfast dedication to corporate stewardship and integrity.
A resident of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Smith rose to national prominence through her decades-long tenure at Supervalu Inc., the $35 billion grocery distribution and retail giant headquartered in the same city. Over a span of 25 years, Smith climbed the ranks within Supervalu’s financial leadership, steadily shaping the company’s financial structure, navigating it through seismic industry changes, and earning a reputation as one of the grocery sector’s most respected financial executives. From Treasurer to Corporate Controller, from Senior Vice President of Finance to her ultimate role as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Smith’s steady rise reflected both her technical mastery and her commitment to transparent, values-driven leadership.
Her tenure at Supervalu was defined by challenges and transformation. The grocery industry—especially during the 1990s and early 2000s—was marked by intense consolidation, evolving consumer behavior, and relentless cost pressures. Under Smith’s watch, Supervalu pursued key acquisitions, adapted its operational models, and restructured internally to remain competitive. Her analytical rigor and measured decision-making were widely credited with ensuring the company’s stability through moments of uncertainty. Colleagues from across the finance sector noted her ability to balance hard-nosed strategic thinking with empathy and steadiness—qualities not often found in tandem.
Smith’s influence extended far beyond Supervalu. She brought her seasoned perspective to multiple corporate boards, establishing herself as a trusted voice on governance, audit, and compensation committees. In addition to her 14-year tenure on the board of Deere & Company—a cornerstone of American manufacturing—Smith also served on the boards of Piper Sandler Companies (formerly Piper Jaffray) and Anywhere Real Estate Inc., a leading player in the residential real estate sector. Across all her board engagements, she was known for her precise insights, her insistence on ethical corporate oversight, and her belief that financial health was deeply intertwined with long-term strategic vision.
Deere & Company’s announcement on Monday captured the emotional and operational significance of her passing:
“Sherry’s vision, guidance, and commitment played a crucial role in defining the company’s strategic path during the last 14 years. Her contributions went well beyond financial management—she infused wisdom, compassion, and resilience into all her endeavors. Her absence will be deeply felt.”
Indeed, within Deere & Company—an organization that prides itself on both technological innovation and deep Midwestern values—Smith’s role was more than symbolic. As a board member since 2011, she helped steer the company through a volatile global economy, disruptive technological shifts in agricultural and construction equipment, and increasingly complex environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges. Her voice was reportedly central during discussions around capital allocation, shareholder returns, and sustainable growth. Deere’s global footprint and evolving mission to lead in precision agriculture found a steadfast advocate in Smith—someone who understood not only spreadsheets and strategy but also people, purpose, and principle.
Throughout her career, Smith quietly broke barriers in male-dominated boardrooms. At a time when women—particularly in finance—were chronically underrepresented in senior executive roles, she led with an approach that fused deep technical fluency with humility and clarity. Those who worked closely with her describe her as measured but fearless, detail-oriented but never rigid, and above all, committed to fostering trust through consistency and competence. She mentored younger professionals, including women and minorities seeking to break into executive finance, and her leadership style left a lasting imprint on those who had the privilege to work under her or alongside her.
Her governance work at Piper Sandler and Anywhere Real Estate Inc. reflected her adaptability and range. In the world of investment banking, she brought grocery-sector realism to financial strategy, helping Piper Sandler shape its advisory and underwriting practices with broader consumer and regulatory considerations in mind. In residential real estate—a sector increasingly intertwined with macroeconomic trends, digital transformation, and demographic shifts—Smith contributed to decision-making that sought to balance profitability with community impact.
Though intensely professional, Smith was never one to seek the limelight. Her influence was quiet but undeniable, felt most powerfully in the boardroom and executive suite where decisions with enormous human and economic consequences were made. She believed in the long view. In her, colleagues saw a rare combination of wisdom and restraint—a leader who could ask the hard questions without ever raising her voice, who believed in doing the right thing even when it wasn’t the most expedient.
Her death in Eden Prairie—her longtime professional and personal home—has left a significant void in the corporate and financial communities she helped shape. Tributes are expected to pour in from across the country as those who worked with her in varying capacities reflect on her legacy. While the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, the impact of her life is beyond question.
In an era increasingly defined by short-termism and corporate volatility, Sherry M. Smith stood as a beacon of long-term thinking, principled execution, and enduring values. Her life’s work stretched across multiple sectors and countless boardroom decisions, but perhaps her most lasting legacy will be the standard she set: that financial leadership is not just about capital—it is about character.
As details emerge regarding memorial services or tributes, it is expected that the institutions she served will find ways to honor her in a manner reflective of her contributions. Whether through scholarships, leadership development programs, or boardroom initiatives aimed at increasing representation and ethical stewardship, the spirit of Sherry Smith’s professional life is likely to live on through intentional legacy efforts.
Her absence will be felt not only in the financial filings and strategic documents she once scrutinized but in the tone and tenor of the meetings she helped lead—where insight, patience, and unwavering focus set the standard.
Sherry M. Smith is survived by a towering legacy in American business, a generation of leaders shaped by her influence, and organizations forever strengthened by her touch.